A significant initiative aimed at improving student accommodation and safeguarding tenant rights in Ghana has been launched with the introduction of the NUGS RentCare App. The platform was developed following longstanding concerns raised by students, as well as a formal petition and engagement led by the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) with support from the National Tenants Union of Ghana (NATUG).
The concerns centered on challenges such as unfair rental practices, inadequate tenancy agreements, limited access to complaint resolution mechanisms, low awareness of tenant rights, accommodation disputes, and the need for greater accountability within the student housing sector.
To address these issues, NUGS, NATUG, and CFLED partnered with the Office of the Rent Commissioner under the Rent Control Department to create a structured support system designed to improve accommodation conditions for students while strengthening tenant protection measures.
Speaking during the launch, Reindolph Afrifa-Oware emphasized the importance of moving tenant protection beyond advocacy to practical solutions that directly serve students. He noted that students make up a substantial portion of Ghana’s tenant population and should have access to reliable information, proper tenancy documentation, and effective channels for seeking assistance.
He explained that the initiative is not solely focused on handling complaints but also seeks to promote education, prevention, accountability, and responsible tenancy practices. According to him, better accommodation outcomes can be achieved when students are well informed about both their rights and obligations as tenants.
Afrifa-Oware further highlighted that the partnership among the various institutions demonstrates the value of collaborative efforts in tackling accommodation-related challenges. He said the system is intended to facilitate lawful complaint resolution, protect students, and build confidence in accommodation processes.
NATUG commended NUGS, CFLED, the Office of the Rent Commissioner, student leaders, stakeholders, development partners, and all contributors whose support made the launch possible.
Students nationwide are encouraged to use the NUGS RentCare App to report accommodation-related issues and access support services through the Rent Control Ghana platform. Stakeholders believe the initiative marks an important step toward promoting responsible tenancy, lawful housing practices, and better accommodation outcomes for students across the country.
Source: gbcghanaonline.com
